Processes for making polymers containing pendant cyclic anhydride groups

ABSTRACT

A process for polymerizing polycycloolefins containing pendant anhydride moieties is disclosed. The process utilizes a single component nickel containing catalyst of the formula E n Ni(C 6 F 5 ) 2  wherein n is 1 or 2 and E represents a neutral electron donor ligand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to methods for making polycyclic polymers that contain pendant anhydride groups. More specifically the invention relates to methods of polymerizing polycycloolefins having pendant anhydride groups alone or in combination with other polycycloolefin monomers in the presence of a nickel containing single component catalyst system.

[0003] 2. Background

[0004] Copolymers polymerized from polycycloolefin monomers and maleic anhydride monomers are disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 97/33198 to The B. F. Goodrich Company. In one disclosed embodiment, a polycycloolefin containing a pendant acid labile group is copolymerized with maleic anhydride via a free radical process to yield a polymer product wherein the maleic anhydride becomes incorporated directly into the backbone of the polymer generally represented as follows:

[0005] In European Patent Application Publication No. EP 0 794 458 to Lucent Technologies Inc. there is disclosed a copolymer polymerized from a polycycloolefin, maleic anhydride, and an acrylate or methacrylate monomer containing an acid labile group. These monomers are also polymerized via a free radical process to yield a polymer product of the general structure:

[0006] When polymerized via free radical processes the polycycloolefin and maleic anhydride monomers of the foregoing disclosures incorporate into the polymer backbone in a one-to-one ratio yielding an alternating copolymer. There is no disclosure of a polymerization process for preparing random copolymers of polycycloolefins that contain pendant anhydride moieties. In addition to limitations in backbone architecture, free radical polymerization of functional group containing polycycloolefins generally produces polymers of lower molecular weights and in lower yields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a more efficient process for preparing novel polycyclic polymer compositions comprising repeating units containing a pendant cyclic anhydride group.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide polycyclic copolymer compositions containing repeating units having pendant cyclic anhydride groups in combination with one or more polycyclic repeating units having a pendant sulfonamide, hydrocarbyl, and functional groups.

[0009] It is still another object of the invention to provide a polycyclic copolymer composition containing repeating units having a pendant cyclic anhydride group and a pendant acid labile group.

[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a polycyclic copolymer composition containing repeating units having a pendant cyclic anhydride group and a pendant hydrocarbyl group.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a polycyclic copolymer composition containing repeating units having a pendant cyclic anhydride group, a pendant acid labile group, and a pendant sulfonamide group.

[0012] The polymers of this invention are prepared by polymerizing a polycyclic monomer having the respective pendant moieties in the presence of a nickel addition catalyst.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The polycyclic polymers of the present invention comprise repeating units polymerized from at least one polycycloolefin monomer wherein at least a portion of which contain a pendant anhydride group. As stated herein the terms “polycycloolefin,” “polycyclic,” and “norbornene-type” monomer are used interchangeably and mean that the monomer contains at least one norbornene moiety as shown below:

[0014] In the formula above, x represents oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or a methylene group of the formula —(CH₂)_(n′)— wherein n′ is an integer of 1 to 5.

[0015] The simplest polycyclic monomer of the invention is the bicyclic monomer, bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, commonly referred to as norbornene. The term norbornene-type monomer is meant to include norbornene, substituted norbornene(s), and any substituted and unsubstituted higher cyclic derivatives thereof so long as the monomer contains at least one norbornene or substituted norbornene moiety. The substituted norbornenes and higher cyclic derivatives thereof contain a pendant hydrocarbyl substituent(s) or a pendant functional substituent(s) containing a heteroatom such as oxygen or nitrogen.

[0016] The anhydride functional norbornene-type monomers are represented by the structure below:

[0017] wherein x independently represents oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or a methylene group of the formula —(CH₂)_(n′)—; n′ is an integer of 1 to 5, preferably 1 or 2, and more preferably 1; m is an integer from 0 to 5, preferably 0 or 1; and R¹ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R² and R³ independently represent hydrogen, and linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant cyclic anhydride group of the formula:

[0018] or at least one of R¹ and R² or R³ and R⁴ can be taken together with the ring carbon atom to which they are attached to form a spirally attached cyclic anhydride group. Monomers containing the spirally attached anhydride group can be represented by the formula:

[0019] wherein R³, R⁴, x and m are as defined above.

[0020] The norbornene-type monomers of Formula I can be copolymerized with norbornene-type monomers containing pendant sulfonamide functional groups, norbornene-type monomers containing pendant hydrocarbyl and/or functional groups, and mixtures of the foregoing monomers.

[0021] The norbornene-type monomers containing pendant sulfonamide groups can be represented by Formula II below:

[0022] wherein x and m are as defined above and R⁵ and R⁸ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R⁶ and R⁷ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or a sulfonamide group, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant sulfonamide group of the formulae:

-A-NR′SO₂R″ and -A-SO₂NR′R′″

[0023] or a cyclic sulfonamide group formed by combining R⁶ and R⁷ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a heterocyclic ring of the formula:

[0024] wherein m′ is an integer from 1 to 3. Monomers containing the foregoing group can be represented by Formula IIa below:

[0025] In Formula IIa R⁵, R⁸, x, m, and m′ are as defined previously. In Formula IIa R⁵ and, R⁸ are preferably hydrogen.

[0026] In the formulae above -A- is a divalent radical selected from —(CR^(1′)R^(2′))_(n′)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″—, —(CHR) ^(1′))_(n″)C(O)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)C(O)(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein n′ independently represents an integer from 0 to 10, n″ represents an integer from 1 to 10, and R^(1′) and R^(2′) independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl and halogen, preferably chlorine and fluorine. Divalent radical -A- represents the group —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)OC(O)— only when the sulfonamide group is —NR′SO₂R″.

[0027] The divalent cycloalkyl radicals include substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl moieties represented by the formula:

[0028] wherein “a” is an integer from 2 to 7 and R^(q) when present represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl groups, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, and halogen, preferably chlorine and fluorine. As used here and throughout the specification the term haloalkyl means that at least one hydrogen atom on the alkyl radical is replaced by a halogen. The degree of halogenation can range from at least one hydrogen atom being replaced by a halogen atom (e.g., a monofluoromethyl group) to full halogenation (perhalogenation) wherein all hydrogen atoms on the alkyl group have been replaced by a halogen atom (e.g., trifluoromethyl (perfluoromethyl)). Preferred divalent cycloalkylene radicals include cyclopentylene and cyclohexylene moieties represented by the following structures:

[0029] wherein R^(q) is defined above. As illustrated here and throughout this specification, it is to be understood that the bond lines projecting from the cyclic structures and/or formulae represent the divalent nature of the moiety and indicate the points at which the carbocyclic atoms are bonded to the adjacent molecular moieties defined in the respective formulae. As is conventional in the art, the diagonal bond line projecting from the center of the cyclic structure indicates that the bond is optionally connected to any one of the carbocyclic atoms in the ring. It is also to be understood that the carbocyclic atom to which the bond line is connected will accommodate one less hydrogen atom to satisfy the valence requirement of carbon.

[0030] The divalent aryl radicals include substituted and unsubstituted aryl moieties. A representative divalent aryl moiety is shown below.

[0031] wherein R^(q) is as defined above. In the above formulae R^(1′) and R^(2′) independently represent linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, and halogen selected from chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine, preferably fluorine.

[0032] The divalent cyclic ethers and diethers can be represented by the formulae:

[0033] R′ represents hydrogen, linear and branched tri(C₁-C₁₀) alkylsilyl, —C(O)CF₃, and —C(O)OR, and —OC(O)OR, wherein R is linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, preferably t-butyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C₇-C₂₀ aralkyl. As used here and throughout the specification the term substituted cycloalkyl, aryl (e.g., phenyl), and aralkyl means that the respective rings can contain monosubstitution or multisubstitution and the substituents are independently selected from linear and branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₅ haloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl, and halogen, preferably, chlorine and fluorine.

[0034] R″ represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl(as defined above), cyclic esters (lactones) containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms (excluding the carbonyl carbon), cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms (excluding the carbonyl carbon), cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein R, R^(1′), and n″ are as defined above.

[0035] R′″ represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl (as defined above), cyclic esters (lactones) containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms (excluding the carbonyl carbon), cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms (excluding the carbonyl carbon), cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein R, R^(1′), and n″ are as defined above.

[0036] The norbornene-type monomers containing pendant functional groups can be represented by Formula III below:

[0037] wherein x, m, are as previously defined and R⁹ to R¹² independently represent a radical selected from —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)OR¹³, and —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴, wherein n independently represents an integer from 0 to 10; R¹³ independently represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl; R¹⁴ represents an acid labile moiety selected from —C(CH₃)₃, —Si(CH₃)₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OCH₂CH₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OC(CH₃)₃ or the following cyclic groups:

[0038] wherein R¹⁵ represents hydrogen or a linear and branched C₁-C₅ alkyl group. The alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, i-propyl, butyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, t-pentyl and neopentyl. In the above structures, the single bond line projecting from the cyclic groups indicates the position where the cyclic protecting group is bonded to the acid substituent. Examples of R¹⁴ radicals include 1-methyl-1-cyclohexyl, isobornyl, 2-methyl-2-isobornyl, 2-methyl-2-adamantyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranoyl, 3-oxocyclohexanonyl, mevalonic lactonyl, 1-ethoxyethyl, and 1-t-butoxyethyl.

[0039] The R¹⁴ radical can also represent dicyclopropylmethyl (Dcpm), and dimethylcyclopropylmethyl (Dmcp) groups which are represented by the following structures:

[0040] In Formula II above, preferably at least one of R⁵ to R⁸ is selected from the radical —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴ wherein n and R¹⁴ are as previously defined.

[0041] The norbornene-type monomers containing pendant hydrocarbyl groups can be represented by Formula IV below:

[0042] wherein x and m are as previously defined and R¹⁶ to R¹⁹ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl. R¹⁶ and R¹⁹ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached can represent a cycloaliphatic group containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an aryl group containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms. The cycloalkyl, cycloaliphatic, aryl, and aryl groups set forth above can optionally be substituted with linear and branched C₁-C₅ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₅ haloalkyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and halogen, preferably chlorine and fluorine.

[0043] Other monomers that can be copolymerized with the norbornene-type monomers of Formulae I, II, III, and IV are maleic anhydride, SO₂, CO, and acrylate and methacrylate monomers. Preferred acrylate and methacrylate monomers are represented by the formulae CH₂═CHR²⁰C(O)OR¹³, and CH₂═CHR²⁰C(O)OR¹⁴ wherein R²⁰ is hydrogen or methyl and R¹³ and R¹⁴ are as defined above. Accordingly, the polymers of the invention comprise repeating units polymerized from at least one monomer(s) of Formula I in optional combination with a monomer(s) selected from Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, maleic anhydride, SO₂, CO, acrylate methacrylate monomers, and combinations thereof.

[0044] The addition polymers of the present invention can be prepared via standard free radical solution polymerization methods that are well-known by those skilled in the art. Typical free radical initiators are peroxygen compounds azo compounds and persulfates. Free radical initiators include, for example, benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl diperphthalate, perargouyl peroxide, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl hydroperoxide, dialkylperoxides, diacylperoxides, azodiisobutyronitrile, and dimethylazodiisobutyronitrile. Suitable solvents include alkanes such as pentane, hexane, octane, nonane, and decane, cycloalkanes such as cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, decalin, and norbornane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and cumene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as chlorobutane, bromohexane, dichloroethane, and chlorobenzene, and organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, methylproionate, and THF. Free radical polymerization techniques are set forth in the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science, John Wiley & Sons, 13, 708 (1988). When copolymerizing maleic anhydride, SO₂, and CO into the polymer backbone free radical polymerization is the preferred route.

[0045] Alternatively, and preferably, the polycyclic monomers of this invention are addition polymerized in the presence of a catalyst represented by the formula:

E_(n)Ni(C₆F₅)₂

[0046] wherein n is 1 or 2 and E represents a neutral electron donor ligand. When n is 1, E preferably is a π-arene ligand preferably selected from toluene, benzene, and mesitylene. When n is 2, E preferably is selected from diethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and dioxane. The ratio of monomer to catalyst (based on nickel) in the reaction medium preferably ranges from about 2000:1 to about 50:1. The reaction can be run in a hydrocarbon solvent. Preferred solvents include cyclohexane, and toluene. The reaction can be run at a temperature range of from about 0° C. to about 70° C., preferably from about 10° C. to about 50° C., and more preferably from about 20° C. to about 40° C. Preferred catalysts of the above formula include (toluene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, (mesitylene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, (benzene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, bis(tetrahydrofuran)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, and bis(dioxane)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel.

[0047] The norbornene-type monomers of Formula I, II, III and IV can alternatively be polymerized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The ROMP polymers of the present invention are polymerized in the presence of a metathesis ring-opening polymerization catalyst in an appropriate solvent. Methods of polymerizing via ROMP and the subsequent hydrogenation of the ring-opened polymers so obtained are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,471 and 5,202,388 which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] In one ROMP embodiment the polycyclic monomers of the invention can be polymerized in the presence of a single component ruthenium or osmium metal carbene complex catalyst such as those disclosed in WO 95-US9655. The monomer to catalyst ratio employed should range from about 100:1 to about 2,000:1, with a preferred ratio of about 500:1 (based on ruthenium or osmium metal). The reaction can be conducted in halohydrocarbon solvent such as dichloroethane, dichloromethane, chlorobenzene and the like or in a hydrocarbon solvent such as toluene. The amount of solvent employed in the reaction medium should be sufficient to achieve a solids content of about 5 to about 40 weight percent, with 6 to 25 weight percent solids to solvent being preferred. The reaction can be conducted at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 60° C., with about 20° C. to 50° C. being preferred.

[0049] A preferred metal carbene catalyst is bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)benzylidene ruthenium. Surprisingly and advantageously, it has been found that this catalyst can be utilized as the initial ROMP reaction catalyst and as an efficient hydrogenation catalyst to afford an essentially saturated ROMP polymer. No additional hydrogenation catalyst need be employed. Following the initial ROMP reaction, all that is needed to effect the hydrogenation of the polymer backbone is to maintain hydrogen pressure over the reaction medium at a temperature above about 100° C. but lower than about 220° C., preferably between about 150° C. to about 200° C.

[0050] The addition polymers of the invention comprise repeating units of the formula:

[0051] wherein x independently represents oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or a methylene group of the formula —(CH₂)_(n′)—; n′ is an integer of 1 to 5, preferably 1 or 2, and more preferably 1; n is an integer from 0 to 5; and R¹ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R² and R³ independently represent hydrogen, and linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant cyclic anhydride group of the formula:

[0052] or at least one of R¹ and R² or R³ and R⁴ is be taken together with the ring carbon atom to which they are attached to form a spirally bonded cyclic anhydride group. Preferred repeating units under Formula Ib are represented below:

[0053] wherein x, m and n′ are as previously defined.

[0054] In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises repeating units of Formula Ib and repeating units of Formula IIIa below:

[0055] wherein R⁹ to R¹², x, and m are as defined previously. Preferred repeating units of IIIa are selected from one or more of the repeating unit structures under Formulae IIIb and IIIc below:

[0056] wherein x, and m are as previously defined, n′ is and integer from 0 to 10, and R¹³ and R¹⁴ are as defined previously.

[0057] Repeating units containing pendant sulfomamide groups are represented by Formula IIa below:

[0058] wherein x, m, and R⁵ to R⁸ are as previously defined.

[0059] Repeating units containing pendant hydrocarbyl groups are represented as Formula VIa as follows:

[0060] wherein x, m, and R¹⁶ to R¹⁹ are as previously defined.

[0061] Polymers comprising repeating units of Formula Ib and IIIc are useful in photoresist applications. These polymers can further comprise repeating units selected from Formulae II, III, IV, maleic anhydride, SO₂, CO, and combinations thereof.

[0062] The ROMP hydrogenated polymers of the invention comprise repeating units of the formula:

[0063] wherein x, m, and R¹ to R⁴ are as defined previously. A ROMP polymer contains a repeating unit with one less cyclic unit than did the starting monomer. Accordingly, the repeating units derived from the monomers set forth under Formulae II, III and IV will have similar ring opened repeating unit structures as in Formula Ic above.

[0064] The photoresist compositions of the present invention comprise the disclosed polycyclic compositions, a solvent, and an photosensitive acid generator (photoinitiator). Optionally, a dissolution inhibitor can be added in an amount of up to about 20 weight % of the composition. A suitable dissolution inhibitor is t-butyl cholate (J. V. Crivello et al., Chemically Amplified Electron-Beam Photoresists, Chem. Mater., 1996, 8, 376-381).

[0065] Upon exposure to radiation, the radiation sensitive acid generator generates a strong acid. Suitable photoinitiators include triflates (e.g., triphenylsulfonium triflate), pyrogallol (e.g., trimesylate of pyrogallol); onium salts such as triarylsulfonium and diaryliodium hexafluoroantimonates, hexafluoroarsenates, trifluoromethanesulfonates; esters of hydroxyimides, -bis-sulfonyl-diazomethanes, sulfonate esters of nitro-substituted benzyl alcohols and napthoquinone-4-diazides. Other suitable photoacid initiators are disclosed in Reichmanis et al., Chem. Mater. 3, 395, (1991). Compositions containing triarylsulfonium or diaryliodonium salts are preferred because of their sensitivity to deep UV light (193 to 300 nm) and give very high resolution images. Most preferred are the unsubstituted and symmetrically or unsymmetrically substituted diaryliodium or triarylsulfonium salts. The photoacid initiator component comprises about 1 to 100 w/w % to polymer. The preferred concentration range is 5 to 50 w/w %.

[0066] The photoresist compositions of the present invention optionally contain a sensitizer capable of sensitizing the photoacid initiator to longer wave lengths ranging from mid UV to visible light. Depending on the intended application, such sensitizers include polycyclic aromatics such as pyrene and perlene. The sensitization of photoacid initiators is well-known and is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,250,053; 4,371,605; and 4,491,628 which are all incorporated herein by reference. The invention is not limited to a specific class of sensitizer or photoacid initiator.

[0067] The present invention also relates to a process for generating a positive tone resist image on a substrate comprising the steps of: (a) coating a substrate with a film comprising the positive tone resist composition of the present invention; (b) imagewise exposing the film to radiation; and (c) developing the image.

[0068] The first step involves coating the substrate with a film comprising the positive tone resist composition dissolved in a suitable solvent. Suitable substrates are comprised of silicon, ceramics, polymer or the like. Suitable solvents include propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) cyclohexanone, butyrolactate, ethyl lactate, and the like. The film can be coated on the substrate using art known techniques such as spin or spray coating, or doctor blading. Preferably, before the film has been exposed to radiation, the film is heated to an elevated temperature of about 90° C. to 150° C. for a short period of time of about 1 min. In the second step of the process, the film is imagewise exposed to radiation suitably electron beam or electromagnetic preferably electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet or x-ray, preferably ultraviolet radiation suitably at a wave length of about 193 to 514 nm preferably about 193 nm to 248 nm. Suitable radiation sources include mercury, mercury/xenon, and xenon lamps, x-ray or e-beam. The radiation is absorbed by the radiation-sensitive acid generator to produce free acid in the exposed area. The free acid catalyzes the cleavage of the acid labile pendant group of the copolymer which converts the copolymer from dissolution inhibitor to dissolution enhancer thereby increasing the solubility of the exposed resist composition in an aqueous base. The exposed resist composition is readily soluble in aqueous base. This solubility is surprising and unexpected in light of the complex nature of the cycloaliphatic backbone and the high molecular weight of the norbornene monomer units bearing the carboxylic acid functionality. Preferably, after the film has been exposed to radiation, the film is again heated to an elevated temperature of about 90° C. to 150° C. for a short period of time of about 1 minute.

[0069] The third step involves development of the positive tone image with a suitable solvent. Suitable solvents include aqueous base preferably an aqueous base without metal ions such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide or choline. The composition of the present invention provides positive images with high contrast and straight walls. Uniquely, the dissolution property of the composition of the present invention can be varied by simply varying the composition of the copolymer.

[0070] The present invention also relates to an integrated circuit assembly such as an integrated circuit chip, multichip module, or circuit board made by the process of the present invention. The integrated circuit assembly comprises a circuit formed on a substrate by the steps of: (a) coating a substrate with a film comprising the positive tone resist composition of the present invention; (b) imagewise exposing the film to radiation; (c) developing the image to expose the substrate; and (d) forming the circuit in the developed film on the substrate by art known techniques.

[0071] After the substrate has been exposed, circuit patterns can be formed in the exposed areas by coating the substrate with a conductive material such as conductive metals by art known techniques such as evaporation, sputtering, plating, chemical vapor deposition, or laser induced deposition. The surface of the film can be milled to remove any excess conductive material. Dielectric materials may also be deposited by similar means during the process of making circuits. Inorganic ions such as boron, phosphorous, or arsenic can be implanted in the substrate in the process for making p or n doped circuit transistors. Other means for forming circuits are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0072] The following examples are detailed descriptions of methods of preparation and use of certain compositions of the present invention. The detailed preparations fall within the scope of, and serve to exemplify, the more generally described methods of preparation set forth above. The examples are presented for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended as a restriction on the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0073] (Synthesis of Norbornene Itaconic Anhydride (bicyclo[2.2.1]helpt-5-ene-2-spiro-3′-exo-succinic Anhydride)

[0074] To a 500 ml dried beaker was placed 100 grams (0.8482 mols) of itaconic anhydride and 300 ml of dried THF. The solution was cloudy therefore the solution was filtered through a 0.45 μ filter. A clear colorless filtrate was obtained.

[0075] Into a dried 500 ml three-neck flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, nitrogen inlet, condenser, internal temperature monitor and addition funnel was placed the itaconic anhydride THF solution. To the itaconic anhydride solution was added via the additional funnel 90 grams (1.36 mols) of freshly prepared cyclopentadiene (CPD), the temperature of the reaction was controlled at 32-35° C. by adjusting CPD addition speed and a water bath. After the addition was complete the reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature overnight.

[0076] The reaction solution was placed on the rotovapor to remove the bulk of the THF, resulting in a solid. The solid product was crystallized from boiling hexane and dried at 30° C. in a vacuum oven, yield=86.5%. The product was identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy.

EXAMPLES 2 TO 16

[0077] A 250 ml glass reaction bottle and a 10 ml catalyst bottle were dried in an oven at 110° C. for a minimum of 4 hours. Once dry, the glass bottle was purged with dry nitrogen gas until the vessel was cool. The following monomers, norbornene, itaconic anhydride, t-butyl ester norbornene, and methyl acetate norbornene were placed into the bottle in the mole % amounts indicated in the table below. 25.33g of toluene was also added to the reaction bottle. The vessel was crimp capped and allowed to stir until all of the itaconic norbornene monomer was in solution. The solution was purged for 20 to 30 minutes with dry nitrogen through an 18-gauge stainless steel needle. While the monomer solution was purging a dry 10 ml glass crimp neck bottle was taken into the inert atmosphere glove box along with a solvent syringe and crimp cap. 0.09173g (1.89E-03 mol) of the nickel catalyst (C₆H₅)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ was weighed into the 10 ml bottle. Once the catalyst was weighed out, the vial was capped and 9.0 ml of dry toluene, already in the glove box, was added.

[0078] The catalyst was added after purging the syringe with dry nitrogen and pressurizing the catalyst solution vial. About 5 minutes into the reaction the polymer solution began to exotherm (10-15° C.). The viscosity also increased substantially. A nitrogen purge was placed on the vial to reduce the internal temperature and prevent over pressurizing. About 30 ml of dry toluene was added to the reaction mixture to reduce the viscosity. The reaction was allowed to continue for 5 hours.

[0079] Once the reaction was complete, the polymer solution was diluted with dry tetrahydrofuran in a 1:1 volume ratio. Then, 50 ml of conditioned Amberlite IRC-718 resin was added. This was allowed to mix vigorously overnight (16 to 17 hours). The resin was removed through filtration. A course glass frit filter was used first to remove the large particles and then the polymer solution was filtered through a 0.22 micron Teflon membrane filter. The polymer was isolated by precipitating into a 2:1 volume ratio of hexanes to methyl tertiary butyl ether. Once all of the polymer solution had been precipitated, the polymer was stirred slowly in the non-solvent for 1 hour. The solid polymer was filtered through a medium glass frit. The polymer was put into a pre-weighed drying dish and placed into an evacuated oven at 60° C. overnight (16 to 17 hours). C¹³NMR and IR spectroscopy was used to determine the polymer composition as indicated in the table below. Molecular weight was determined by GPC and residual monomer by GC. Monomer Composition (mole %) Polymer Example NB- NB- NB- Composition Yield No. IAH tBuE MeOAc (mole %) Mn Mw PD (%) 2 30 15 55 19/17/64 12357 30716 2.49 60 3 5 60 35 5/57/38 13832 26856 1.94 57 4 15 15 70 10/17/73 16994 42548 2.5 69 5 17.5 60 22.5 14/60/26 9962 18281 1.84 45 6 5 37.5 57.5 6/36/58 16224 34956 2.16 70 7 25 25 50 17/27/56 13125 30040 2.29 72 8 30 37.5 32.5 17/42/41 10507 22359 2.13 68 9 5 25 70 6/26/68 16556 39248 2.37 79 10 17.5 37.5 45 12/37/51 12564 29026 2.31 76 11 30 60 10 19/62/19 9352 19938 2.13 53 12 50 25 25 32/34/34 7453 15900 2.16 52 13 10 45 45 5/45/50 14105 30491 2.16 73 14 20 35 45 15/37/48 11961 27047 2.26 70 15 30 25 45 19/27/54 11226 25754 2.29 74 16 20 80 0 19/81/0 11828 22824 1.93 23 NB-IAH = itaconic anhydride of norbornene

NB-tBuE = tert-butyl ester of norbornene

NB-MeOAc = methyl acetate of norbornene

EXAMPLE 17

[0080] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/Norbornene-5-methyl Acetate Copolymer (50/50))

[0081] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 2.59 g (14.55 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 2.41 g (14.51 mmol) of norbornene-5-methyl acetate, followed by 45 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 500/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.0273 g (0.056 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 4.0g (80%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=30,000, with a Mw of 56,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 18

[0082] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/Hexyl Norbornene Copolymer (50/50))

[0083] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 2.5 g (14.0 mmol.) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 2.5 g (14.0 mmol.) of hexyl norbornene, followed by 45 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.136 g (0.28 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 3 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 2.60 g (52%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=33,000, with a Mw of 154,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 19

[0084] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/Norbornene-5-Methyl Acetate Copolymer (25/75))

[0085] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 3.67 g (20.6 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 1.327 g (7.45 mmol.) of norbornene-5-methyl acetate, followed by 15 ml of toluene and 3.0 grams of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.1436 g (0.29 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 4.1 g (82%).

[0086] The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The Mol. Wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=17,000, with a Mw of 50,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 20

[0087] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/T-butyl Ester Norbornene/Norbornene Ethyl Carbonate Terpolymer (40/40/20))

[0088] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 9.38 g (52.7 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 20.21 g (0.104 mol) of t-butyl ester norbornene and 20.42 grams of norbornene ethyl carbonate, followed by 220 ml of toluene and 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 1.27 g (2.6 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 30.0g (67.0%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=15,000, with a Mw of 34,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 21

[0089] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/T-Butyl Ester Norbornene/Norbornene-5-Methyl Adamntanecarboxylic Ester Terpolymer (40/40/20))

[0090] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 6.25 grams (35.11 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 13.62 g (70.2 mmol) of t-butyl ester norbornene and 20.12 grams (70.3 mmol) of norbornene-5-methyl adamntanecarboxylic ester, followed by 72 ml of toluene and 6 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.8553 g (1.75 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 10.0 g (20.0%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=15,000, with a Mw of 36,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 22

[0091] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/T-Butyl Ester Norbornene/Tetracyclodecyl Ethyl Ester Terpolymer (40/40/20))

[0092] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 6.912 grams (38.83 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 15.07 g (77.7 mmol.) of t-butyl ester norbornene and 18.02 grams (77.7 mmol) of tetracyclodecyl ethyl ester, followed by 72 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.9455 g (1.942 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 30.0 g (60.0%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=14,000, with a Mw of 27,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLE 23

[0093] (Synthesis of Norbornene-5-Methyl Succinic Anhydride/Hexyl Norbornene Copolymer (50/50))

[0094] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 1.80 g (10.0 mmol) of norbornene-5-methyl succinic anhydride, 1.78 g (10.0 mmol) of hexyl norbornene, followed by 13 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.09732 g (0.199 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 2 ml of toluene. The polymer solution was concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 2.0g (56.0%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=38,000, with a Mw of 190,000.

EXAMPLE 24

[0095] (Synthesis of Norbornene-5-Methyl Succinic Anhydride/Norbornene-5-Methyl Acetate Copolymer (50/50))

[0096] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 1.80 g (10.0 mmol.) of norbornene-5-methyl succinic anhydride, 1.66 g (10.0 mmol.) of norbornene-5-methyl acetate, followed by 13 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.09732 g (0.199 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 2 ml of toluene. The polymer solution was concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 2.70g (80.0%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=20,000, with a Mw of 54,000.

EXAMPLE 25

[0097] (Synthesis of Norbornene-5-Methyl Succinic Anhydride Homopolymer)

[0098] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 3.60 g (20.0 mmol) of norbornene-5-methyl succinic anhydride, followed by 13 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 100/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.09732 g (0.199 mmol.) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 2 ml of toluene. The polymer solution was concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 2.10 g (58.2%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=8,000, with a Mw of 19,000.

EXAMPLE 26

[0099] (Synthesis of Itaconic Anhydride of Norbornene/Tetracyclodecyl T-Butyl Ester Copolymer (50/50))

[0100] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere 8.13 g (45.6 mmol) of itaconic anhydride of norbornene, 11.87 g (45.6 mmol) of tetracyclodecyl t-butyl ester, followed by 25 ml of toluene. The reaction mixture was purged with Argon for 10 minutes. To the reaction solution at room temperature was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 50/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.8894 g (0.91 mmol) (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 5 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, followed by Sulfonic acid based Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into methanol. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The overall yield of polymer was 12.5 g (62.5%). The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. The mol wt of the polymer was observed to be Mn=13,000, with a Mw of 23,000. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of anhydride group.

EXAMPLES 27 TO 35

[0101] The following illustrate the general procedure used to synthesize the polymer. Compositions are set forth in the table below.

[0102] To a glass vial containing a stir bar was added under nitrogen atmosphere the following monomers, N-(bicyclo(2.2.1)hept-5-ene-2-ylmethyl) methanesulfonamide, of t-butylester of norbornene, and the itaconic anhydride of norbornene in the amounts indicated in the table below. To the monomer composition 20.37 g of toluene was then added. The reaction mixture was purged with nitrogen for 30 minutes. To the reaction solution (at room temperature) was added via syringe the nickel catalyst solution in a monomer to catalyst ratio of 50/1. The catalyst solution was prepared inside the dry box by adding 0.734g (1.5 mmol) of (CH₃C₆H₄)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ in 4 ml of toluene. The polymerization was allowed to stir for 6 hours after which the solution was diluted with tetrahydrofuran. The resulting polymer solution was treated first with preconditioned imidoacetic acid based Amberlite IRC-718 chelating resin, filtered, then treated with Amberlyst 15 ion exchange resin. The polymer solution was filtered, concentrated via rotary evaporation and precipitated into hexanes. The precipitated polymer was filtered and dried overnight under reduced pressure. The polymer was further characterized using GPC, IR and NMR. IR and ¹H NMR clearly indicated presence of sulfonamide group. The table below sets forth the molecular weight Monomer Composition NB-Mesulf- onamide/NB- IAH/NB-tBuE/NB- Polymer Mol. Wt. Example MeOAc Mn Mw PD 27 40/20/40/0  8907 17097 1.92 28 30/10/30/30 11405 21107 1.85 29 30/10/40/20 10708 20194 1.87 30 40/10/30/20 NA 31 30/20/30/20 NA 32 50/50  9925 19853 2.00 33 20/40/30/10  9791 18784 1.918 34 10/30/30/30 15547 35430 2.279 35 20/20/40/20 12415 26187 2.109 NB-Mesulfonamide = methylsulfonamide of norbornene

NB-PrSulf = propylsulfonamide of norbornene 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for making a polycyclic polymer comprising repeating units having pendant anhydride groups said method comprising polymerizing a monomer composition comprising a monomer of the formula:

wherein x independently represents oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or a methylene group of the formula —(CH₂)_(n′)—; n′ is an integer of 1 to 5; m is an integer from 0 to 5; and R¹ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R² and R³ independently represent hydrogen, and linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant cyclic anhydride group of the formula:

or at least one of R¹ and R² or R³ and R⁴ can be taken together with the ring carbon atom to which they are attached to form a spirally attached cyclic anhydride group in the presence of a solvent and a nickel containing catalyst of the formula: E_(n)Ni(C₆F₅)₂ wherein n is 1 or 2 and E represents a neutral electron donor ligand.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said monomer composition further comprises at least one polycyclic monomer selected from the formulae:

wherein x and m are as defined above and R⁵ and R⁸ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R⁶ and R⁷ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or a sulfonamide group, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant sulfonamide group of the formulae: -A-NR′SO₂R″ and -A-SO₂NR′R′″ or a cyclic sulfonamide group formed by combining R⁶ and R⁷ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a heterocyclic ring of the formula:

wherein m′is an integer from 1 to 3; -A- is a divalent radical selected from —(CR^(1′)R^(2′))_(n′)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)C(O)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)C(O)(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, substituted and unsubstituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₄ aryl, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and divalent radical -A- represents the group —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)OC(O)— only when the sulfonamide group is —NR′SO₂R″; R′ represents hydrogen, linear and branched tri(C₁-C₁₀) alkylsilyl, —C(O)CF₃, and —C(O)OR, and —OC(O)OR; R″ represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl cyclic esters containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R′″ represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl, cyclic esters containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein R represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C₇-C₂₀ aralkyl; R^(1′) and R^(2′) independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl and halogen; n′ represents an integer from 0 to 10, and n″ independently represents an integer from 1 to 10; R⁹ to R¹² independently represent a radical selected from —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)OR¹³, and —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴ wherein n independently represents an integer from 0 to 10; R¹³ independently represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl; R¹⁴ represents an acid labile moiety selected from —C(CH₃)₃, —Si(CH₃)₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OCH₂CH₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OC(CH₃)₃ or the following cyclic groups:

wherein R¹⁵ represents hydrogen or a linear and branched C₁-C₅ alkyl; with the proviso that at least one of R⁵ to R⁸ is selected from the radical —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴ as defined previously.
 3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the polycyclic monomer containing the pendant anhydride group is represented by the structure:

wherein x, m, R¹, and R² are as defined above.
 4. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said monomer composition further comprises a polycyclic monomer of the formula:

wherein x and m are as defined above and R¹⁶ to R¹⁹ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁹ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached can represent a substituted and unsubstituted cycloaliphatic group containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an substituted and unsubstituted aryl group containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the polycyclic monomer containing the pendant anhydride group is represented by the structure:

wherein x, m, R¹, and R² are as defined above.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein n is 1 and said neutral electron donor ligand of said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene, and mesitylene.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein n is 2, and said neutral electron donor ligand of said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of diethylether, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of (toluene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, (mesitylene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, (benzene)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, bis(tetrahydrofuran)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel, and bis(dioxane)bis(perfluorophenyl) nickel.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the ratio of monomer to catalyst (based on nickel) ranges from about 2000:1 to about 50:1.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said monomer composition is polymerized at a temperature range of from about 0° C. to about 70° C.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is a hydrocarbon solvent.
 12. A method for making a ring-opened polymer comprising repeating units having pendant anhydride groups said method comprising polymerizing a monomer composition by ring-opening methathesis polymerization, said monomer composition comprising a monomer of the formula:

wherein x independently represents oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or a methylene group of the formula —(CH₂)_(n′)—; n′ is an integer of 1 to 5; m is an integer from 0 to 5; and R¹ and R⁴ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R² and R³ independently represent hydrogen, and linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant cyclic anhydride group of the formula:

or at least one of R¹ and R² or R³ and R⁴ can be taken together with the ring carbon atom to which they are attached to form a spirally attached cyclic anhydride group in the presence of a solvent and a ruthenium or osmium metal carbene metathesis catalyst.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said monomer composition further comprises a monomer selected from one or more monomers represented by the following structures:

wherein x and m are as defined above and R⁵ and R⁸ independently represent hydrogen, linear or branched linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl; R⁶ and R⁷ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl or a sulfonamide group, with the proviso that at least one of R² and R³ is a pendant sulfonamide group of the formulae: -A-NR′SO₂R″ and -A-SO₂NR′R′″ or a cyclic sulfonamide group formed by combining R⁶ and R⁷ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a heterocyclic ring of the formula:

wherein m′ is an integer from 1 to 3; -A- is a divalent radical selected from —(CR^(1′)R^(2′))_(n′)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)C(O)O(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)C(O)(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—, substituted and unsubstituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₄ aryl, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and divalent radical -A- represents the group —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)OC(O)— only when the sulfonamide group is —NR′SO₂R″; R′ represents hydrogen, linear and branched tri(C₁-C₁₀) alkylsilyl, —C(O)CF₃, and —C(O)OR, and —OC(O)OR; R″ represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, (CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl cyclic esters containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms; R′″ represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, —C(O)OR, —(CHR^(1′))_(n″)—OR, —CHR^(1′))_(n″)—C(O)R, substituted and unsubstituted C₃ to C₈ cycloalkyl, cyclic esters containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ketones containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclic ethers and cyclic diethers containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms; wherein R represents linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C₇-C₂₀ aralkyl; R^(1′) and R^(2′) independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl and halogen; n′ represents an integer from 0 to 10, and n″ independently represents an integer from 1 to 10; R⁹ to R¹² independently represent a radical selected from —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OR¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)R¹³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OC(O)OR¹³, and —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴, wherein n independently represents an integer from 0 to 10; R¹³ independently represents hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, and C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl; R¹⁴ represents an acid labile moiety selected from —C(CH₃)₃, —Si(CH₃)₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OCH₂CH₃, —CH(R¹⁵)OC(CH₃)₃ or the following cyclic groups:

wherein R¹⁵ represents hydrogen or a linear and branched C₁-C₅ alkyl; with the proviso that at least one of R⁵ to R⁸ is selected from the radical —(CH₂)_(n)—C(O)OR¹⁴ as defined previously; R¹⁶ to R¹⁹ independently represent hydrogen, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear and branched C₁-C₁₀ haloalkyl, linear and branched, C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, linear and branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₅-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₂ aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted C₇-C₂₄ aralkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁹ together with the two ring carbon atoms to which they are attached can represent a substituted and unsubstituted cycloaliphatic group containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms or an substituted and unsubstituted aryl group containing 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said monomer to catalyst (based on the metal) ratio ranges from about 100:1 to about 2,000:1.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said monomer composition is polymerized at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 60° C.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said solvent is selected from a hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said metal carbene methathesis catalyst is bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)benzylidene ruthenium.
 18. The method of claim 17 including the step of maintaining hydrogen pressure over the ring-opened polymer following the ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction at a temperature between 100° and 220° C. to obtain a hydrogenated polymer backbone. 